Man continues Twitter charge appeal

Stephen Fry offered to pay the legal fees of Paul Chambers, who was convicted over remarks made on Twitter

A trainee accountant who was convicted after posting a message on Twitter threatening to blow an airport "sky high" has announced that he will challenge his conviction in the High Court.

Paul Chambers, 26, was found guilty of sending a menacing electronic communication at Doncaster Magistrates' Court in May.

His Tweet, sent in the early hours of January 6, said: "Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your s*** together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!" Chambers claimed he sent the message to his 600 "followers" on Twitter in a moment of frustration after nearby Robin Hood Airport was closed by snow.

A district judge ruled the Tweet was "of a menacing nature in the context of the times in which we live", finding Chambers guilty under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. He was ordered to pay a £385 fine, a £15 victims surcharge and £600 costs

Chambers, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, launched a battle to clear his name over the Tweet, arguing that it was "an ill-conceived attempt at humour" rather than a serious threat. His appeal was rejected by Judge Jacqueline Davies at Doncaster Crown Court this month.

The decision was met with dismay by freedom of speech campaigners, including comedian Stephen Fry, who offered to pay Chambers' fine and legal costs, amounting to nearly £3,600.

Chambers, who now lives in Northern Ireland, said on Twitter that his High Court challenge was "probably to the detriment of my mental wellbeing" but that he was "appealing the decision as best I can". He added: "Thanks for all the support. It was very tempting to draw a line to be honest, took a long time to weigh it up. I feel like I'm living in a goldfish bowl."

Chambers' decision to continue the appeal against his conviction, which has no date yet but is likely to be early next year, has encouraged others to speak out in support.

Journalist Nick Cohen said it was "essential" that Chambers was successful in the High Court. He added: "The conviction of Paul Chambers shows that the authorities care little about how the internet works, and care even less about freedom of speech."

John Kampfner, chief executive of Index on Censorship, which campaigns for freedom of expression, said: "Paul Chambers' conviction for a simple joke was a travesty and a prime example of how UK courts actively rule against free expression. Index on Censorship fully supports his appeal and would urge the British public to get behind him."